how dare i in addressing the public

racing thoughts
how long until you criticize me for having feelings
(again)
fancied you(rself) enlightened but
you’re once again just another man,
all brute force dressed up in pastels and soft fingers
and liberal arts thought.
how dare i react to something with genuine emotion
be upset at something upsetting

“it only gives them power” you said,
all hard eyes and male conviction,
but you took away my right to feel without self-reproach.
so who really has the power?